# NTSB CEN16LA040: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N7058Z, Sugarland, TX, November 14, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 14, 2015, 09:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Sugarland, TX - Coordinates: 29.882223, -95.916946 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8822&lon=-95.9169&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92259 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92259/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92259 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA040 ## Probable cause The overspeed of the main rotor system for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Main rotor system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046200): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046200/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046200/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot stated that, while approaching the landing site at the conclusion of the 50-minute flight, the helicopter's main rotor experienced an overspeed condition. The pilot reduced the throttle but was unable to reduce the rotor rpm, and he initiated an autorotation to a field. The pilot reported that the helicopter's rotor had oversped about 2 weeks before the accident. A 50-hour inspection after the previous overspeed event did not reveal any anomalies. A postaccident visual examination of the helicopter by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration did not reveal any anomalies, and the reason for the overspeed of the main rotor system could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On November 14, 2015, about 0950 central standard time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N7058Z, experienced a hard landing following an autorotation near Sugarland, Texas. The private rated pilot sustained minor injuries and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to Jerry Trimble Helicopters and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan.According to the pilot, after flying for about 50 minutes the main rotor rpm over-sped, and went to the top of the gauge. The pilot reduced throttle but was unable to get the rotor rpms within limits, so he initiated an autorotation. The pilot maneuvered the helicopter to an open field location and landed hard. After the initial impact, the helicopter rolled on to its left side. The tail boom was severed from the fuselage during the impact, and was displaced about 150 feet from the fuselage. The pilot reported that the helicopter's rotor had over sped about 2 weeks prior to the accident. A 50-hour inspection of the helicopter did not reveal a reason for the main rotor over speed. The pilot suspected a mechanical malfunction resulting in an over speed of the rotor system. A visual examination of the helicopter by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration did not reveal any anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7058Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7058Z-2016-07-13), registration cancelled 2016-07-13, S/N 2896, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2896 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 799 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 21, 2015 - Departed: KGYB, GIDDINGS, TX - Destination: KGYB, GIDDINGS, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 257 total, 257 in this make and model, 125 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.36 inHg - Observed at: KTME, 5 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20151114018269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151114018269A), Nov 14, 2015: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Missouri City, TX, Destroyed. While conducting a personal flight around the arcola/sugarland Texas area, the pilot experienced a ?spike in RPM and the rotor remained at a maximum rppm. The… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 16, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92259. 652 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 600 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458990&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation FAA (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449832&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20FAA-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.